Ethylene market in the Netherlands

Earlier Report Observations

The ethylene market in the Netherlands began the period at a relatively high volume of 2.2 million tons in 2018, supported by growing demand for plastics and packaging materials, as well as climate agreement initiatives that promoted CO2 reduction projects such as bio-ethylene production at the Chemelot site. However, market volume then entered a downward trend, falling to 1.2 million tons by 2021. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected the market in 2021, disrupting the introduction of new products and projects.

A modest recovery occurred in 2022, with market volume rising to 1.3 million tons, partly driven by new EU regulations on organic production and increasing use of ethylene for fruit ripening and potato sprout inhibition. This upturn was short-lived, as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and maintenance turnarounds at European steam crackers led to supply shortages and higher spot prices, causing market volume to drop sharply to 852 thousand tons in 2023. The decline continued in 2024, with volume reaching 813 thousand tons, despite ongoing investments in bio-ethylene production at the Chemelot site.

Production ethylene in the Netherlands

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Ethylene production in the Netherlands declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 1 988 million US dollars, representing a 27.3% decline compared to 2019. Over the period from 2018 to 2020, production decreased by 45.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 18.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in the Netherlands in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Ethylene production volume in the Netherlands declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, 1 913 thousand tonnes of ethylene were produced, which is 18.1% less than in the previous year. From 2018 to 2020, production decreased by 37%, with a compound annual growth rate of 14.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in the Netherlands in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Exports ethylene from the Netherlands

Exports in kind, K t

After a two-year decline, the Netherlands's volume of ethylene exports increased. In 2021, exports were recorded at 940 thousand tonnes, showing no significant change compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports decreased by 20.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.3%. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 937 thousand tonnes, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 at 14.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the Netherlands in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Throughout 2018 to 2021, the country structure of exports in kind was primarily shaped by Belgium and Germany, which together accounted for 87.0% of total flows, with other markets forming a long tail.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from the Netherlands in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, M $ US

After a two-year contraction, cross-border shipments of ethylene from the Netherlands increased. In 2021, exports reached 1 058 million US dollars, representing a sharp increase of 38.7% compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, exports decreased by 23.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 8.4%. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 763 million US dollars, and the largest decline occurred in 2019 at 27.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the Netherlands in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In 2018 to 2021, Belgium and Germany dominated exports in value terms, accounting together for 89.1% of total flows, with other destinations having smaller individual contributions.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from the Netherlands in value, 2018-2021

Imports ethylene to the Netherlands

Imports in kind, K t

Ethylene shipments to the Netherlands from abroad declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, the Netherlands imported 250 thousand tonnes of ethylene, reflecting a strong contraction of 10.7% compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports decreased by 22%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.0%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 529 thousand tonnes, the largest decline occurred in 2020 at 47.0%, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 64.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the Netherlands in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Throughout 2018 to 2021, Belgium, with 44.8% of imports in kind, the United Kingdom at 28.6%, and Germany at 8.7%, remained the key directions for imports in kind, together taking 82.1% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to the Netherlands in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2021, the Netherlands imported ethylene valued at 237 million US dollars, corresponding to an uptick of 20.1% compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports decreased by 31.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 11.8%. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 237 million US dollars, the maximum value in 2019 at 569 million US dollars, the largest decline in 2020 at 58.4%, and the largest increase in 2019 at 37.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the Netherlands in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In 2018 to 2021, Belgium, with 43.6% of imports in value terms, the United Kingdom at 32.1%, and Germany at 8.1%, formed the main group of destinations for imports in value terms of ethylene to the Netherlands, with a combined share of 83.8% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to the Netherlands in value, 2018-2021